DDWS presents winners of annual, amateur nature photography contest
This month, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) held the official judging for its 33rd annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. It recently announced the 2025 winners.
Judges selected three winners and seven honorable mentions out of 89 entries from 19 states and two countries. All entries were shot at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex.
The judges included Refuge Manager Bob Gerwig, photographer Jim Bennight, and Sanibel community member and DDWS Board Member Jo Smith.
“We were absolutely inspired by the passion and talent shown in this year’s contest,” contest coordinator and DDWS Philanthropic Director Jeff Decker said. “With over 80 stunning submissions from more than 40 photographers, each image told a unique story about the wildlife we’re working to protect.
“Our judges carefully evaluated every photo based on technical excellence, originality and the ability to truly captivate — and we were blown away by the creativity and heart behind each shot,” he added. “Thank you to all who participated.”
First place went to Tony Wagner, of Sandwich, New Hampshire, for his shot of two black-necked stilts titled “Romance on Stilts.”
In second place was Rebecca Clemens, of Sanibel, with a portrait of a white pelican titled “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Scott Becque, of Rehoboth, Delaware, took third place with “Preening,” which captures an anhinga doing just that.
The winners received cash awards from the DDWS: $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place. In addition, each honorable mention winner received a $50 award.
The honorable mentions included:
– Iris Aloia, of Sanibel, for “Ruffled Royalty”
– Frank Brinker, of Oberaegeri, Switzerland, for “Helicopter Mode”
– Kathleen Colligan, of Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, for “The Elusive Mangrove Cuckoo”
– Harrison Larkin, of Rock Hill, New York, for “Otter Yawn”
– Gail Markham, of Fort Myers, for “Chipped but not Broken Spoonbill”
– Melinda Saminski, of Manasquan, New Jersey, for “Sunset Reflections at Refuge”
n- Allen Sparks, of Cordova, Tennessee, for “Yellow-crowned Night Heron”
The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center throughout the year once it reopens in the winter. It is currently closed for hurricane repairs.
To view all of the top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests. The page also contains information on the 2026 contest, which will accept entries from June 15 to Sept. 15.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.